8th Annual Autism Golf Tournament
Benefits DeSoto County Schools
"Broad Community Support Creates Opportunities for Children Diagnosed Within the Autism Spectrum "

        There were bank presidents, Junior Auxiliary members, college students and retirees all working side-by-side to serve lunch to more than 200 Special Needs DeSoto County School students and 139 golfers before the 8th Annual Autism Golf Tournament held at North Creek golf course on May 8th.

     "You could almost feel the goodness in the air," said Wayne Bartley, organizer of the event in Southaven. This tournament raises funds that enhance the educational opportunities for students with special needs who are enrolled in DeSoto County Schools.

     Wayne Bartley, father of an autistic child, understands the importance of having individualized care for each child, and praised key sponsors who support this program year after year including Community Bank, the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi, Junior Auxiliary of DeSoto County, Entergy, Renasant Bank, Security Title of Baltimore, CBS Outdoor, Austin Law Firm, Bob Patterson, A&B Distributing,  Don Parsons, North Creek Golf Course, to name a few.

     "This tournament is a community effort.  Everything is donated, so the money we raise goes directly to benefit children with special needs," Bartley said.  "I have 20 or 25 people who help me with this every year, and have since the inception of the golf tournament. They believe in what we are doing and know they are helping provide enrichment activities in the autistic program at DeSoto County Schools as well as an autistic summer camp."

     Bartley said if anyone ever questions DeSoto County's "community spirit," he should attend this event.  People who were not even associated with the tournament, walked up to Bartley during the day and made monetary contributions.

    "The entire event—golf tournament, auction and contributions-- raised more than $30,000," he said.

    Bartley will present a check to the Desoto County Board of Education. To date, the Autistic Golf Tournament has already raised more than $175,000 since the tournament started in 2000, and has helped DeSoto County School children reach their developmental potential.